Henry William Smith, son of the late Jeremiah and Ella Nora (née Lawrence) Smith, was born on September 23rd, 1922, in Lebanon, PA. He died peacefully at the Lebanon VAMC on October 23rd, 2022, at the age of 100.
Henry graduated from Lebanon High School and was drafted into the United States Army on December 15, 1942, attending basic training at Fort Bragg, NC. He served with Battery C 203rd Field Artillery Battalion. He survived a boat crash during the invasion of Normandy and had his vehicle and weapon destroyed upon landing, narrowly avoiding injury. At the end of the war, he assisted in relocating civilians in Germany. His tours of duty included Bronze Star Service Campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Central Europe, and Rhineland. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the EAME Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. On March 30, 2019, he received the rank of Knight in the Order of the Legion of Honor – France’s most prestigious award. He was honorably discharged on October 31st, 1945, at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation as part of the Army’s demobilization efforts. He had achieved the rank of Technician Fifth Grade.
After the war, he married, raised a family, and eventually retired from the Textile Printing and Finishing Company as a color mixer. Henry was an avid softball and baseball fan. He played softball in his youth and as a young adult for the Charlie Baer’s, Textile Printing, and Lloyd’s Potato Chips teams. The Phillies was his favorite baseball team. He also enjoyed watching football, especially the Philadelphia Eagles and the Penn State Nittany Lions. He held a lifetime membership with the American Legion.
He is survived by his sons, Henry Smith Sr., of Lebanon, and Nelson Smith and wife Audrey, of Myerstown, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by a legacy of ten grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Martha L. (née Symanowicz); sisters Betty M. Smith, Kathleen M. Zombro, and Maggie A. Smith; brothers Jeremiah Jr., Franklin, Daniel, Eugene, and Calvin; daughter, Joan M. Holler (wife of Joe); grandson, Henry Smith Jr. (husband of Kathy); great-grandson, Henry Alexander Smith; great-great grandson, Koda G. Mount; and daughter-in-law, Catherine M. (née Stickler) Smith.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Jonestown. A viewing will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Interment with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, P.O. Box 50037, Arlington, VA 22205.
